înnscut

înnscut is a coastal city-state in the southern archipelago of the fictional realm of Aeloria. It is described as a maritime trading hub with a deep natural harbor and a compact old town along a crescent shoreline.

The city sits in a sheltered bay, protected by two headlands. The port district lies at the water’s edge, while hillside quarters rise behind it. The harbor hosts fishing boats, cargo ships, and a small shipyard.

Founded in the early medieval period by seafaring clans, înnscut developed as a crossroads between inland markets and offshore routes. It remained autonomous through regional powers and joined a coastal confederation in the 15th century. It rebuilt after fires and earthquakes in the early modern era.

The economy combines fishing, salt production, ship repair, and trade in textiles and spices. Guilds regulate crafts and markets, and a yearly autumn fair attracts merchants from nearby islands. The population is diverse, with neighborhoods clustered around kin groups and guilds.

Local government is led by a magistrate advised by a merchant guild council. The magistrate handles administration and diplomacy; the council governs trade and urban affairs. Cultural life centers on wind festivals, maritime songs, and seafood cuisine; architecture features white facades, wood lattice, and red tile roofs.

Notable sites include the Harbor Gate, Lantern Promenade, Saltworks District, and the Lighthouse of Sighs. The name înnscut appears in early chronicles; etymology is debated, with some linking it to a coastal proto-language meaning harbor or wind.